London's “Outstanding” fostering agency
Find Out About Greater London Fostering
About Greater London Fostering
Choosing the right fostering agency is an important step when you begin exploring fostering. Many people want to understand who they will be working with, what support they will receive, and whether the agency truly understands the realities of fostering.
Greater London Fostering (GLF) is an independent fostering agency that has been supporting foster carers and children across London since 1998. Our aim is to help children who cannot live with their birth families experience stability, care and encouragement within a safe home environment.
For prospective foster carers, the question is often not just “Can I foster?” but also “Will I be supported once I start?” At GLF we focus on building strong, supportive relationships with our carers so that they feel confident in the role they play in a child’s life.
If you are just starting to explore fostering, you may find it helpful to read more about becoming a foster carer.
Our Mission
At Greater London Fostering, our work is centred around improving the lives of children and young people who are in care. Many children who enter foster care have experienced disruption or uncertainty in their early lives, and a stable home environment can make a significant difference to their wellbeing.
Our goal is to work alongside foster carers to provide homes where children feel safe, supported and encouraged to build positive aspirations for their future.
Fostering is a partnership between carers, social workers and the wider professional network around each child. By supporting carers well, we help ensure children receive consistent and thoughtful care during an important period of their lives.
I've been part of GLF for over 15 years, it keeps growing from strength to strength.
A Supportive Fostering Community
One of the things many carers value about Greater London Fostering is the sense of community within the agency. Fostering can be incredibly rewarding, but it can also bring moments of uncertainty or challenge.
Being part of a supportive network makes a difference. Foster carers often tell us that having other carers to talk with, share experiences with and learn from helps them feel more confident in their role.
Throughout the year we organise events, training sessions and informal opportunities for carers to connect with one another. These moments help build friendships between families while also creating positive experiences for the children in their care.
You can read about some of these experiences in our success stories from foster carers.
You probably have a lot of questions about fostering.
Luckily we have a lot of experience, so can usually answer them honestly. We are really happy to have an informal chat with you, about fostering, whether you are suitable, and what it’s really like. So why not arrange a 15 minute call – we promise you it will save you several hours of searching the internet for answers, plus, we really love talking to people about fostering.
Support for Our Foster Carers
Providing meaningful support to foster carers is one of the most important parts of what we do. When carers feel supported, they are better able to provide the patience, stability and understanding that children in care need.
At Greater London Fostering, every foster family works closely with a dedicated supervising social worker who provides guidance throughout their fostering journey. Supervising social workers visit regularly, offer advice when situations arise and help carers navigate the professional aspects of fostering.
Fostering does not always happen during office hours, and situations can sometimes arise unexpectedly. For this reason, carers have access to 24-hour support, ensuring they can speak to someone when they need advice or reassurance.
Training is also an important part of the support we offer. Our ongoing training programme helps carers develop knowledge and confidence in areas such as safeguarding, child development, trauma awareness and supporting children with education. Many carers find that training sessions also provide valuable opportunities to share experiences with others in the fostering community.
You can learn more about the process of fostering in our fostering guide.
Fostering has allowed me financially to stay at home with my own children, whilst making a huge difference to the life of
A Supportive Fostering Community
One of the things many carers value about Greater London Fostering is the sense of community within the agency. Fostering can be incredibly rewarding, but it can also bring moments of uncertainty or challenge.
Being part of a supportive network makes a difference. Foster carers often tell us that having other carers to talk with, share experiences with and learn from helps them feel more confident in their role.
Throughout the year we organise events, training sessions and informal opportunities for carers to connect with one another. These moments help build friendships between families while also creating positive experiences for the children in their care.
You can read about some of these experiences in our success stories from foster carers.
Financial Support for Foster Carers
While fostering is not something people do purely for financial reasons, it is important that foster carers receive financial support that reflects the responsibilities involved.
At Greater London Fostering, foster carers currently receive:
£479.50 per week for children aged 10 and under
£507.50 per week for children aged 11 and over
These payments are designed to support the costs involved in caring for a child while recognising the time, commitment and dedication foster carers provide.
If you would like to understand more about fostering payments and how they work, you can visit our foster care payments page.
Who Can Become a Foster Carer?
People sometimes assume that fostering requires a specific type of background or profession, but foster carers come from a wide variety of walks of life.
You may be able to foster if you are able to provide a stable home environment, have a spare bedroom and are willing to support a child as part of a professional team working around them.
Many foster carers have careers or life experiences that give them transferable skills, such as patience, empathy and the ability to build positive relationships.
If you are wondering whether fostering might be possible for you, you may find it helpful to read our page on foster carer requirements or explore our guide answering the question Can I foster?.
Starting Your Fostering Journey
For many people, the first step towards fostering is simply learning more about the process and asking questions. There is no expectation to make a decision straight away.
An initial conversation with our team can help you understand how fostering works, what the assessment process involves and what support you would receive along the way.
If you would like to speak with someone about fostering, you can contact our team or arrange a call back at a time that suits you.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Greater London Fostering?
Greater London Fostering is an independent fostering agency that supports foster carers and children across London. Since 1998 the agency has recruited, trained and supported carers who provide stable homes for children who cannot live with their birth families.
How does GLF support foster carers?
Foster carers are supported by a supervising social worker who works closely with them throughout their fostering journey. Carers also have access to training, regular contact with the agency and 24-hour support if advice is needed.
How much do foster carers receive with GLF?
Foster carers currently receive £479.50 per week for children aged 10 and under and £507.50 per week for children aged 11 and over, helping support the costs involved in caring for a child.
Do I need experience working with children to foster?
No. Many successful foster carers come from a wide range of backgrounds. Training and ongoing support are provided to help carers develop the skills needed to care for children and young people.
How do I start fostering with Greater London Fostering?
Most people begin by speaking with the agency to learn more about the process. An informal conversation allows you to ask questions and understand what fostering involves before deciding whether to proceed.